I am an illegal immigrant already in the united states. Is it possible for me to apply for a visa other than a work visa?

The current immigration laws in the United States have left few options open to undocumented, otherwise known as illegal immigrants. For an overview of the most likely options, see "Illegal Immigrant: Legal Options to Stay in the USA."

The biggest problem is that, in literal terms, a visa is an entry document. So you can't apply for a "visa," whether a short-term visa for work or an immigrant visa (the equivalent of a green card) while you're inside the United States. You'd have to instead apply for a "change of status," but since you have no existing legal status, this is not going to work.

If you were to leave the U.S. in order to apply for a visa to return, you'd face potential trouble due to your unlawful time spent in the United States. In brief, if you've spent more than 180 days here unlawfully, you'll be barred from returning for three years. If you've spent more than one year here unlawfully, you'll be barred from returning for ten years. There is a waiver that some people can apply for, but no guarantee that it will be granted. For more on this issue, see "What Are the Three- and Ten-Year Time Bars for Unlawful Presence?"

Get Help From an Immigration Lawyer

If you are in the United States illegally it is especially important that you get legal help to assess your options and, if any are opten to you, for the incredibly complex process of becoming a legal resident.